Check or coin controlled vending apparatus.



J FRITSCHB.

CHECK 0R 00m CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20, 1911.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

7 SHEETSSHEET 1.

\ WITNESSES J. PRIT$GHE.

CHECK OR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED D110. 20, 1911.

1 ,O39,508, Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N (o to 7 Q WITNESSES INVENTOR 1,039,508. Patented Sept. 24, 19 12.

7 SHEETS-$113151 3.

| v /P i l mi A9 WITNESSES J. FRITSCHE.

CHECK 0R 00m CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20, 1911. 1,039,508, Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

3 //0 6'/ I 77 P8 60 64 I15 WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORN EYS I J. PRITSGHE.CHECK 0R GOIN CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATIOITILED DEC. 20, 1911.

1 ,O39,508, Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

7 suns-sum s.

WITNESSES INVENTOR BY I Winch.

I l I 0 I I.

ATTORNEYS J. FRITSGHE.

CHECK 0B. COIN CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 20, 1911.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

7 SHEET SSHEET 6.

IDIVISHIIIII ll] ATTORNEYS 'J. 'FRITSGH-E. CHECK 0R 00m GONTEOLLEDVENDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DBO.'20, 1911'.

1,039,508. Patented Sept. 24, 191-2.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

WITNESSES h c INVENTOR @cfidl ATTORNEYS I be readily and quicklyadjusted to operate UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN FRITSCHE, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR .OF ONE-THIRD TOJOSEPH V. HORN AND ONE-THIRD T0 FRANK HARDART, BOTH 0F PHILADELPHIA,

PENNSYLVANIA.

CHECK OR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Join: Fnrrsonn, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Check or Coin Controlled VendingApparatus, of which the following is a speclfica tion.

My present invention relates to a novel check or coin controlled vendingapparatus which is constructed of units in such a manner that anydesired number of units may be united together to form a vending structure of any desired dimension.

It further consists of a novel construction of a vending machine whichmay be readily retained in a sanitary condition at all times.

It further consists of a novel construction of a coin controlledmechanism which embodies a novel construction of a coin retainer, novelmeans for actuating the same, and novel means for preventing the passageof coins into the machine to work the machine when thesame isinoperative.

It further consists of a novel door locking mechanism.

It further consists of a novel construction of an article container, andnovel means whereby the rotation of the container will close the doorand operate the door locking mechanism.

It further consists of a novel construction 'usted to receive one ormore coins and there-- y provide a vending apparatus which may upon theinsertion of one or more coins.

' It further consists of a novel construction of a coinmechanism-wherein is employed a novel construction of a coin retainerand a novelconstruction of a spring actuated detenttherefor which, inthe present instance,

alsosj serves -to carry one of the adjustable stopsfor adapting the coinretainer to receive one or more coins. U

It further consists ofv novel means for initially opening the door whichcontrols access to the article receiving compartment of the container. 1

It further consists of a novel construction of a vending machine adaptedto receive a rotatable article container which ismounted therein in anovel manner and novel means for locking the container in operativeposition.

It further consists of a novel construction of a coin chute and novelmeans for preventing injury to the working'parts, by the actuation ofthe handle 62, when the vending machine is in inoperative condition.

It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as willbe hereinafter fully set forth. 7

For the purpose of illustrating my in vention, I have shown in theaccompanying drawings one form thereof which is at pres ent preferred byme, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory andreliable results, although it is to be understood that the variousinstrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variouslyarranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to thepre'cise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities asherein-shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a rear elevation of a coin controlled vendingmachine embodying my invention, certain parts thereof having beenremoved for the sake ofclearness of illustration. Fig. 2 represents asectional plan view of my device on line a-'a Fig. '1. Fig. 3 representsa sectional elevation of a portion of Fig. 1, the section being taken online Z b of said figure. Fig. 4 represents 7 a lan view of a pluralityof vending machine units showing more clearly the manner in which theyare united together. Fig. 5 represents a side elevation of: the coinmechanism partly in section and showing in cate the manner in which thesame is ad-' justed to provide for the operation of the machine by oneor more coins. Fig. 13 represents a perspective view of the door lockingmechanism,in detached position. Fig.

14 represents a perspective view similar to Fig. 13 but having certainparts removed to indicate more clearly details of the construction. Fig.15 represents a section on line ee Fig. 14. Fig.16 represents aperspective view of a portion of Fig. 7.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to the drawings, my present invention is constructed in sucha. manner that a series of vending units are provided which may beunited to form a vending structure of any desired dimensions and whileespecially designed for the vending of articles of food, it will beapparent {it is not limited to such use but may be employed to vend anydesired article.

The frame of the machine.-The outer contour of the framework may vary inaccordance with the conditions met with in practice and in theembodiment illustrated includes a bottom plate or casting 1 whichsupports the standards 2, to which latter the top plate or casting 3 issecured in any desired manner. The bottom platel is provided withapertured lugs 4 while the top plate 3 is provided with apertured lugs 5whereby different units of structure may be secured together byfastening devices 6, as will be apparent by reference to Fig. 4. 7designates the front plate to which are secured in any desired mannerthe mirrors 8. The front plate 7 has secured thereto door casings 9 towhich are fastened plates 10 which are deflected at their forward endsto form beads which serve to retain the mirrors 8 in place and also tocarry the doors 11 which are hinged to such beads. The doors 11 areprovided with a preferably transparent front 12 and also with anactuating handle 13. The door 11 has secured thereto a grearwardlyextending spring 14 the purpose of which will here aftenappear in thedescription of the operation. 15 designates an extension of the doorframe in which is mounteda roller 16, the purpose of which will appearin the description of the'art-icle or food container which will now bedescribed.

The article or food c0ntainer.-Th construction of the article or foodcontainer will vary in accordance with the character of the articleswhich it is desired to vend, and for the purpose of illustrating onetype] of a container, 1 have shown one Wl'llQhiS" ing secured thereto bymeans of brackets 18, as will be best understood by reference to Fig. 2,shelves 19 which form article or food receiving compartments 20, aportion of the shell being cut away as indicated at 21 in Fig. 2, inorder to form a closed compartment having an open side. The lower end ofthe container 17 is provided with a boss 22 from which extends a shaft23, which is journaled in the base 1 in any desired manner.

24 designates a rod having threaded engagement with the top plate 3 andseated in an apertured boss 25 at the upper end of the, container 17,said rod 24 being provided with a grasping portion whereby the lattermay be readily rotated in order topermit the container 17 to be removedfor the purpose of cleansing or repairs.

26 designates a rod extending upwardly from the container 17 and adaptedto interlock with a lever 27 pivotally carried by the top plate'3, themovement of said lever being limited by stop pins 28 located on oppositesides of the lever 27.

29 designates a cam on the periphery of the container 17 adapted tocoact with the roller 16 in order to closethe door 11 as will beapparent by reference to Fig. 3. The outer periphery of the container 17is also provided with a cam 30 adapted to control the passage of coinsthrough the coin mechanism and also to control the locking andunlockingof the door of the vending ma chine and the construction ofsuch door slotted plates 34, which are spaced apart in order that theextension 15 of a door mavpass therebetween as will be understood byreference to Fig. 1.

35 designates levers pivoted to the plates 33, at 36, and having one endextending downwardly and provided with .the'pins 37, which latter areadapted to be seated in the cam slotslj 38 of the cam plate 39 when thepartsjar' in assembled position. The cam' plate 39 is mounted in theslotted plates 34 and engages one side wall thereof and is maintained inassembled posit-ion by means of a plate 40 secured by fastening devices41 to the top plate 32, it being noted that the cam plate 39 is cutaway, as indicated at 42, inorder to permit the extension 15 of the door11 to pass therethrough when thedoor is being opened. The outer ends ofthe levers 35 are apertured as indicated at 43,

in order to receive a spring 44, one end of which abuts against aplunger 45, the upper face of which is preferably beveled, while of nuts46 one of which serves as a lock nut. The frame of the door 11 isprovided with the apertures 47 in order that'the looking plungers maypass therethrough, as will be best understood by reference to Fig.

3. The cam plate 39 is ,provided with an apertured lug 48, best seen inFigs. 2 and 13, and to which is secured a rod 49, which latter is alsoconnected with an arm 50, which is actuated by the coin mechanism whichwill now be described.

The coin mechanism.The coin mechanism is best seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 5to 12 inclusive. The coin mechanism is mounted in a frame consisting ofa casting 51 which is adapted to be secured to the standards 2 forkedextension 59 of a collar 60 loosely mounted on the operating shaft 61which latter is journaled in the coin chute casing 54. The shaft 61 isprovided with an actuating handle 62, which extends exteriorly of thevending machine casing, as will be best understood by reference to Fig.2. The col: lar 60 is provided witha slot or aperture 63,'through whichpasses a pin 64, which is in engagement with the operating shaft 61, itbeing understood that the pivoted side 55 of the coin slot is mounted insuch a manner that it will move outwardly owing to its own weight andthe manner in which it is pivoted. The stationary side of the coin chuteis provided with a laterally and downwardly. extending flange 65 whilethe side of the stationary chute opposite to the flange 65 forms asubstantially plain surface 66, the lower end of which is beveled, asindicated at 67, in order to f orm with the lower end of the curvedinner face of the pivoted member 55 aV-shaped slot. 68 designates aspring mounted on the op' erating shaft 61 and having one end bearingagainst the stationary portion of the, device, I such 35101. example,the coin chute;54, while, '65

the other end thereof is secured to said shaft by means of a fasteningdevice 69, as Wlll be best understood by reference to Figs. 2

- and 7, whereby thecoin shaft is maintained .in its normal position andthe movable member of the coin shaft is-maintained in closed posit-ionas is seen in Fig. 8. The actuating lever 61 also has .secured'theretoanarm 70 in which is'ihount/ed aip in 71 which cooperates with the forkedeifd 72 of a lever .73- which is pivoted 'at74 to the casting 51, saidlever 73 having an angular extension 75 adapted to pass through a slot76 in the door casing 9 .as will best be understood by reference to Fig.2, said angular extension 75 bearing on the spring 14 to cause theinitialopening of the door 11, as will be best understood by referenceto Figs. 2 and 3.

77 designates an arm secured in any desired manner to the operatingshaft 61 and rovided with a cam face 78 and a shoulder 9 which latter isadapted to engage a coin which has been retained in the coin receiver80, which latter will now be described. The coin receiver 80 is providedwith a hub 81 which is a stationary shaft 82 and said hub is providedwith a recess or slot 83, it being understood that the arm 50which'controls the door locking mechanism is also connect-- ed with thehub 81, as will be best under- 35 stood by"reference to Figs. 2, 5 and7. The coin retainer 80 consists of a plate or casting having thelaterally extending flange 84 seen in Fig. 7 and to which is secured aplate 85, the free end of which is laterally deflected, as indicated at,86. in order that the same will form a guide for the coin 'or coinspas"- ing through thezcoin chute 54. The plate 85 has secured thereto atits lower end, as indicated in Fig. 6, a. catch 88 carried by a platev89pivoted at 90 to the casing 51, it being noticed that the end of theplate 89 which carries the catch 88 is downwardly deflected or ofl'setas is best seen in Fig. 6.

91 designates a rod secured to the plate 89 and passing through'thecasting 51 and provided with a plurality of nuts 92 one of which forms alock nut said casting being recessed as indicated at 93 in order toreceive a spring 94, the upper endof which I in the present instance,consist of screws ,having threaded engagement with the coin retainer 80.

and to said indicating arm 100 is pivoted a link 102 which is alsopivoted to the coin retainer 80.-

103 designates a spring located intermediately of the casting 51 and thecoin retainer 80, the tension of which tends to move the parts into theposition seen, in Fig. 7, the movement of the coin retainer to the rightbeing prevented by its engagement with a wall of the coin chute 104,which is adapted to be connected by conduits in tion of the coinretainer 80, while the opposite end. 108 of the arm 106 is adapted toextend into the coin chute, as will be best seen by reference to Fig. 8,it being understood that the stationary portion of the coin chute issuitably apertured in order.

to permit such movement. The arm .106 is provided with a shoulder 109with which is adapted to engage the cam member 110 provided with a camface 111, which is adapted to coiiperate with the cam 30, as best seenin Figs. 1 and 3, the cam member 110 being rotatably mounted on theshaft 82 and provided with a stop member 112 which is adapted to abutagainst a portion of the casting 51.

113 designates a set collar whereby the cam member 110 and the hub 81 ofthe coin retainer 80 are secured in assembled position. The cam member110 is provided with a set screw 114 which is adapted to travel in therecess 83 of the hub 80, in order that the article or food containerwill cause the coin retainer to be returned to its operative position ata desired time, as will be explained in the description of theoperation. The casting 51 is also provided with the-chambered portion115, which extends beneath the coin chute and has a discharge opening116, which is adapted to be connected by means of suitable conduits 117,which lead to a receptacle 118 locatedexterior of the vending machinecasing, in order that improper or bogus coins will be returned to aposition accessible to the intending purchaser. In order that the coinsmay be reg- ,istered which pass through the coin mechanism to actuateeach machine, I provide for each un1t of coin mechanism a registerlngdevice consisting of an arm-119 mounted on a shaft 120, so that when acoin passes to the.

coin chute into thecoin retainer, it will strike, the arm 119 and" causethe shaft 120 which may be seen through openings in the 7 plate 122,which latter is adapted-"at its lower ends to bear against the pins126', carried byEthe bottom plate 1, and is providedwith a lock 124whereby the operative parts of the vending structure may be incased inorder to render the same fool-proof. The

plate 122 is also provided with slots 125, through which the indicatingarms 100 are adapted to pass, the position of said arms indicatingwhether or not the article receiving compartment is full'or empty.

stationary portion of the coin chute and abutting against the movableside 55 to vary the size of the coin slot, as will be understood byreference to my prior Patent No. 852,111, granted April 30th, 1907, forfraud preventive device for coin mechanisms.

The operation of my novel vending machine will now be readily apparentto those .skilled in this art and is as follows :-Assuming that thecontainer 17 is in the position seen in Fig. 1 and that the article orfood receiving compartments have the de sired article therein which itis desired to vend, it will be understood that the rod 26 is interlockedwith the pivoted rod 27 and thatthe container is in the position seen inFigs. 1 and 2 and that cam 110 is in the position seen in Fig. 2, inorder to maintain the door 11 in *closed position at which time thespring pressed plungers 45 extend into the apertures 47 in the frame ofthe door 11, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 2 .and 3, andthat the angular extension is in proximity to the spring 14:. The-frontofthe vending machine is provided with indicating data showing thecharacter of the article which is in each of the compartments, it beingunderstood that the container and vending machine may be of any desireddimensions and that any desired number of article receiving compartmentsmay be employed. The coin retainer is adapted to be operated with eitherone, two

as for'example, five cent pieces. In order to adjust the coin retainerto operate with a single five cent piece, the stops 98 and 99 arescrewed in and also the stop 96, as seen in Fig. 12, while if it isdesired to operate the .machine with two coins, the-stops 98 and 99 arescrewed in While the stop 96 is screwed .passing into the coin retainer80. "If, the .machine is to be operated with three coins, the stop 98 isscrewed in while the stops 99 and 96 are screwed out so that they areout 80. In case it is desired to operate the machine with four coins,all of the stops 98, 99 and 96 are screwed out so that the slot in thecoin retainer will receive four coins, as will be understood byreference to Fig. 9.

Assuming now that the coin retainer has been adjusted so that themachine is adapted to be operated with a single coin, the stops 98 and96 being in the position seen chaser places a coin or check ofthe roperdimension in the slot in the front ace of the vending machine which.registers with the coin chute 54 and if the com of the or three coins ofa desired dimension, such in Figs. 5, 6 and 12, the intending pur- 126designates a set screw carried by the out until it is out of the path ofacoin I of the path of the coin in the coin retainer proper dimension itpasses through said chute between the movable member 55 and thestationary wall 66, engages with the flange 65 and passes directly intothe coin retainer 80 and into engagement with the stops 98 and 96,assuming the position seen in Figs. 5 and 12. The intending purchaserthen'partially rotates the handle 62 to the right whereupon a number ofiflerent actions take place, one of which is that the shaft 61 ispartially rotated thereby causing the cam face 78 to engage the coin andpress downwardly thereon until the shoulder 69 comes into engagementwith the side of the coin. As the coin "passes downwardly on the stops98 and 96 it causes the plate 89 which is resiliently mounted to bemoved downwardly against the tension of the spring 94, whereupon thecatch 88 is released from its engagement with the catch 87 whereupon thetension of the spring 103 will cause the coin retainer to move to theright from the position seen in Fig. 2 to that seen in Fig. 7 The coinretainer 80 engages the side wall of the coin chute 104 as the coinretainer '80 passes beyond the end of the plate 89 in proximity to thecoin chute 104 and the coin will be discharged from the coin retainer 80intothe coin chute 104 from whence it passes through the conduit 105 toa suitable coin rece tacle, it be ing remembered thatthe coin', isregistered in a manner which. will now be described.

As the coin passes into the'coin retainer it engages the arm 119,thereby causingthe shaft 120 to rock and the indicating dial 121 to showthe next higher number thereon tainer-80 moves from the position seenin'Figs. 2 and 5 to that seen in Fig. 7 the hub 81 will be rocked onits-bearing pin 82, the result of which will be to cause the arm 50 toexert a pull on the rod 49 which will cause the cam plate 39 to whichsaid rod is secured to move to the left from the position indicated inFig. 13, and owing to the prm vision ofthe pins 37 and the cam slots38,

the levers 35 will be rocked on their. fulL crums 36 in such a manner asto move the spring pressed .plungers 45 out of engage} ment with theapertures 47 in the. frame of the door 11 in. order to release saiddoor.

10 6,the pin'114 will' engage one ofthe walls Simultaneously with theabove operation 1 which occurs when the shaft 61 is rotated, said shaftowing'to" the provision of the arm mounted on said shaft and" whichactuates the pin 71 coiiperating with the,

forked arm 72 of the lever 73, the end 75 said arm 73 will be rocked onits fulcrum L82. Y'iintil the catch: 87 -'s li-des over the catch 88 andengages therewith, it being seen that ready to be raised in order thatthe hand of the purchaser may be inserted into a compairtment 20 inorder to remove therefrom the article which has been paid for by thecheckor coin inserted into the machine in the manner above described.

' It will be seen that I provide positive means for indicating to theattendant who is in rearof the machine that a certain vending unit hasbeen operated and thereby that the article receiving compartment isempty. It will be seen that as the lever 100 moves from the positionseen in Figs. 2 and 5 to that seen in Fig. 7, that the arm 100 willassume a different position in the slot 125, as will be understood byreference to Fig. 1, so that the attendant can see at a glance whetheror not avending unit has been operated and whether an articlereceiving-compartment is filled with an article to bev vended. When itis desired to refill;-

one or more compartments the operator grasps the arm 27 withone hand andthe rod 26 with the other hand, thereby unlocking said rods and causingthe container 17 to rotate to the right, whereupon thecam 29 inalinement with the roller 16 will cooperate therewith and cause the door11 to be moved into the closedposition, while at the same time theoperating cam face 111 of the cam 110 will coiiperate with the cam 30 onthe outer periphery of the container '17, thereby rotating said cam sothat it engages with the shoulder 109 of the lever 106 and causes' theouter end thereof to pass into the slot formed between the pivotedmember 55 and the inner wall 56 of the coin chute 54 so that if theintending purchaser should. pass a coin into the coin chute 54: whilethe, container 17 is in inoperative position, such coin would be stoppedtherein and when the handle 62 was actuated to rotate the shaft 61 thepivoted member 55 would 0 11 into the position seen in dotted lines in'ig. 8, owing to its own weight, so that such coin'would a'ss through thecoin chute 116 into the. con uit 117 and thence to the recept'acl'e' 118which is exteriolaof the 'the'above" described operation on the lever ofthe recess 83 and cause the coin retainer u'uc'h catches 87 and 88 havetheir rear facesv preferably beveled and since such movement pressesdownwardly on the plate 89, the spring 94 will raise the plate 89 to itsnormal position to cause the interlocking of the catches 87 and 88. Asthe coin retainer 80 moves on its fulcrum 82, the arm 50, owing to themanner in which it is connected to the cam plate 39,,will cause thelever 35 to move into the position seen in Figs. 13 and 14 in order tobring the spring pressed plungers 45 into engagement with the apertures47 in the frame of the door 11'.

The articles which it is desired to vendare now placed within the propercompartments and the article container 17 is rotated so that the rod 26will interlock with the arm 27, whereupon the machine is ready to beoperated again in the manner hereinbefore described.

As the coin container 17 is moved into the position in which the openend of the compartments 20 register with the door 11, the cam 30 willcooperate with the end 112 of the cam member 110 so as to permit theforward end 108 of the arm 106 to move out of the path of the slot inthe coin chute so that a coin of the proper dimension may passtherethrough. It will be understood that if the coin is of the properdimension it will be guided by the flange 65 through the coin chute butif a thinner coin is em ployed, owing to the provision of the V- shapedgroove at the bottom of the slot, the coin will drop into said slot intosuch a position that it will not engage with the flange 65 and will besupported on the pivoted member so that when the actuating handle 62 isoperated and the pivoted member 55 permitted to open, any coin orcounterfeit thereof retained in the coin slot will fall therefrom. intothe discharge conduit 116 which leads to the receptacle 118 which latteris exterior of themachine and accessible'to the purchaser. By adjustingthe set screw 126 the coin mechanism may be adjusted within oneone-thousandth of an inch so that if a coin is thicker than the coin forwhich the machine is adjusted, then it will engage with the set screw126 and be stopped, so that upon the opening of the pivoted member 55 bythe rotation of the handle 62 the coin will be discharged into'aposition accessible to the purchaser, as hereinbefore explained.

The inlet in the front. of the machine frame which communicates with thecoin chute 24 is preferably formed of such a size that it will onlyreceive a coin having a predetermined diameter, it being understood thatif the coin is of the roper diameter it will pass directly from t e coinchute 24 to the retainer 80,. while if the coin is not of the properdiameter it will be'stopped in the coin chute so that it cannot enterthe it is desired to be maintained in a warm condition, a container suchas is described and broadly claimed in my co-pending application SerialNo. 666,919 filed by me on the 20th day of December, 1911, willbeemployed, although as is apparent, my novel construction of vendingapparatus is adapted to be employed with any desired type of containerand is not limited to use in con-' junction with a construction such asthose to which I have herein referred.

In some cases arising in practice it has been found advantageous toemploy a tension device consisting of a spring 127, one end of which isseated in an apertured boss 128 carried by the arm 50, while the otherend thereof 1s adapted to bear against a bent end 129 of an arm 130which is apertured as indicated at 131, in order that the same may bemounted on the pin 74, said arm extending beyond the aperture 131 inorder to form an extension which is adapted to be secured with respectto the arm 173 by means of a suitable fastening device 132, If desiredthe tension device consisting ofthe spring 127 and its adjuncts may bemade sufliciently strong to render it possible to eliminate theemployment of the springs 68 and103, so that the spring 127 will be themeans for causing the coin retainer 80 and also the shaft 61 to bereturned to their normal or initial position, as

.will be apparent to those skilled in this art.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and usefulconstruction which embodies the features of advantage enumer ated asdesirable in the statement of the invention and the above descriptionand while I have, in the present instance, shown and described apreferred embodiment thereof, which has been found in practice to givesatisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that the sameis susceptible of modifications in various particulars without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of itsadvantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a vending machine having a coin slot, a coin retainer movablymounted and normally registering with said slot, means for adjusting thecoin slot to receive one or more coins, means coacting with a coin insaid retainer to move the latter, and means controlled by the movementof said coin retainer to prevent the passage of-a coin through the coinslot When'said coin retainer is out of its normal position.

2. In a vending machine having a coin slot, a coin retainer, resilientmeans for retaining said coin retainer normally in register with saidslot, a shaft rotatably mounted, a cam carried thereby and adapted to'engage a coin in said coin retainer to move the latter from normalposition, and means carried by said coin retainer for'indicating to theattendant that the coin retainer has been moved from normal position.

3. In a vending machine having a coin slot, a coin retainer adapted tonormally register therewith, a catch carried by said coin retainer, aresiliently mounted catch adapted to interlock with said first catch,

a tension device adapted to move said coin retainer when said catchesare released, and means .coacting with a coinin said coin retainer forunlocking said catches.

4. In a vending machine having a coin slot, a coin retainer adapted tonormally register therewith,- a catch carried by said coin retainer, aresiliently mounted catch adapted to interlock with said first catch, atension device adapted to move said coin retainer when said catches arereleased,

means coacting with a coin in said coin retainer for unlocking saidcatches, and alever pivotally mounted and' c'onnected with said coinretainer and adapted to be manually actuated to unlock said catches.

5. In a vending machine having a coin slot, a coin retainer movablymounted and adapted to receive a coin from said slot, a catch carried bysaid coin-retainer, a spring actuated catch adapted to'interlock withthe coin retainer catch, means coacting with a coin in said coinretainer to unlock said catches, a tension device for moving said coinretainer when said catches are unlocked, and a coin chute adapted toreceive the coin discharged from said coin retainer.

6. In a vending machine having a coin slot, a coin retainer movablymounted and adapted to receive a coin from said slot, a supportresiliently mounted and adapted to lock said coin retainer in operativeposition, a member carried by said support and adapted to serve as astop for a coin in said coin retainer, means coacting with said stop tomove said support and thereby unlock said coin retainer, and means forcausing the movement of said coin retainer when unlocked.

7. In a vending machine havingil [coin slot, a coin retainer movablymounted and adapted to receive a coin from said coin slot, a supportresiliently mounted, a catch carried thereby, a catch carried by saidcoin retainer to lock the latter in position to receive a coin from saidcoin slot, means for causing the downward movement of said support torel-ease said catches, a tension device for imparting movement to saidcoin vretainer when unlocked, and door locking mechanism controlled bysaid coin retainer. 8. In a vending machine having a coin slot, a coinretainer movably mounted and adapted to receive a coin from said coinslot, a support resiliently mounted, a catch carried thereby, a catchcarried by said coin retainer to lock the latter in position to receivea coin from said coin slot, means for causing the downward movement ofsaid support to release said catches, a tension device for impartingmovement to said coin retainer when unlocked, door locking mechanismcontrolled by said coin retainer, a door cooperating with saiddoor'locking mechanism, and devices controlled by said means for openingsaid door when the same is un' locked.

9. In a vending machine, a coin slot, a coin retainer movably mounted, asupport movably mounted, a tension device for normally retaining saidsupport in raised position, devices common tosaid support andcoinretainer for locking the latter in position to receive a coin from saidcoin slot, means coacting with a coin in said coin retainer to impartmovement to said support and thereby unlock said coin retainer andpositively move the latter, and a tension device coacting with said coinretainer to assist such movement.

10. In a vending machine, a coin retainer pivotally mounted, means forguiding the coin to said coin retainer, means for locking said coinretainer in operative position, a

tension device to move said coin retainer support-and coin retainer tolock the latter in position to receive a coin from said com slot, alever adapted to bear against said support to release the coin retainer,and directly connected with the latter, door lock ing mechanismcontrolled by said coin tainer, and means for causing the movement ofthe coin retainer.

12. In a vending machine, a coin retainer movably mounted. a tensiondevice to move the coin retainer from normal position, means for guidinga coin to the coin retainer when the latter is in normal position,devices for locking said coin retainer in normal position, means formoving said coin retainer from normal position, mechanism for indicatingto the attendant that the coin retailer has been moved from normalposition, d devices actuated by said coin retainer during its movementin either direction.

13. In a vending machine having a coin slot, an apertured coin retainermovably mounted and adapted to receive a coin from said slot, a platemovably mounted and closing one end of said aperture, means forinterlocking said plate and coin retainer, devices for unlocking saidplate and coin retainer and moving the latter beyond said plate topermit a coin to discharge therefrom, and mechanism controlled by saidcoin retainer.

14:. In a vending machine having a coin slot, a coin retainer movablymounted and having a passage therethrough, a member resiliently mountedand forming a closure for said passage, means for interlocking said coinretainer and member, means for unlocking said coin retainer and memberand imparting movement to the coin retainer, a counterbalanced lever outof the path of a coin in the coin slot when the member-and coin retainerare interlocked and actuated by said coin retainer when unlocked to moveit into the path of a coin in the coin slot, and mechanism controlled bythe coin retainer.

15. In a vending machine, a frame having av coin discharge chute and acoin return chute having a coin slot in proximity to the coin returnchute, a coin retainer in proximity to the coin discharge chute, adetent' for retalnlng sald co1n retainer in 'posltion to receive a 00mfrom the coin slot, meansfor gctuatin said detent and causing themovement 0 said coin retainer to permit a coin to discharge into thecoin discharge chute, devices for permitting a coin of improperdimension passing through the coin slot and for preventing any coinpassing through the coin slot when said coin retainer is out of normalposition, and means for opening said coin slot to permita coin rpltainedtherein to pass to the coin return 0 ute.

16. In a vending machine provided with a coinjslot having a pivotedside, a coin re-' tamer-adapted when in normal position to receive :acoin fronr saidcoin slot, a shaft retatabl" mounted and connected withsaid open sidfiimeans carried by said sha1:t-for moving said coinretainer in one direction, resilient means for malntammg the 00111retamer in normal position, door lockingmechanism controlled bysaid-coin retainer, a

container for the articles to be vended, and a cam rotatably mounted andactuated by said containerduring its movement, and coacting With saidcoin retainer to return the same -to normal position.

17. In a vending machine provided with a coin slot having a pivotedside, a coin retainer adapted when in normal position to receive a coinfrom said coin slot, a shaft rotatably mounted and connected with saidopen side, means carried by said shaft for moving said coin retainer inone direction, resilient means for maintaining the coin retainer innormal position, door locking mechanism controlled by said coinretainer, a container for the articles to be vended, a cam rotatablymounted and actuated by said container during its movement, and coactingwith said coin retainer to return the same to a coin through the coinslot and controlled by said coin reta-iner, meansfor adjusting saidmember with respect to said coin retainer, devices controlled by saidshaft for unlocking said coin retainer' and moving, the latter, andmechanism actuated by said coin retainer.

' 19. In a vending machine, an operating shaft rotatably mounted, alever actuated by said shaft, a tension device controlled by said lever,a coin retainer movably mounted and moved in one direction by saidtension device to lock it in position to receive a coin,

In 'ans for guiding coins to said coinretainer, and devicescooperatingwith said shaft and coin retainer to cause the move ment ofthe latter at the proper time.

20. In a vending machine, a coin retainer movably mounted and having aslot. therethrough, adjustable stops adapted to enter said slot to varythe number of coins. in the coin retainer, means for locking said coinretainer in normalposition, and devices coacting with one of said stopsto cause the unlocking of said coin retainer andto impart a movementthereto, and mechanism controlled by said coin retainer.

.2l. In a vending machine havin a coin slot, a coin retaineradapted torece ve coins from said slot, means for adjusting the coin slot toreceive one or more coins, coin registering mechanism in the ath of acoin passing from said slot to said coin retainer, and means foractuating said coin retainer.

22. In a vending machine having a coin slot, a coin retginer adapted toreceive coins from said slot, coin registering mechanism in the path ofa coin passing from said slot to said coin'retainer, means for actuatingsaid coin retainer, and a lever connected with said coin retainer forvisibly indicating exterior of the machine that such coin retainer hasbeen actuated.

23. In a vending machine, a casing, a door mounted therein, a springcarried by said door, a food container rotatably mounted in said casing,and having an open side adapted to register with said door, door lockingmechanism, a movable coin retainer for actuating said door lockingmechanism, means controlled by a coin for moving the coin retainer inone direction, means controlled by the container for moving the coinretainer in an opposite direction, devices controlled by said firstmeans and coacting with said spring to open said door when unlocked, anddevices coo erating with said container for closing sai door.

24. In a vending machine havinga coin slot, a coin retainer movablymounted and adapted to receive a coin from said slot, devices forpreventing the passage of a coin through the coin slot and moving thecoin retainer into register with the coin slot, and an article containerrotatably mounted and having means thereon cooperating with saiddevices.

25. In a vending machine havinga coin slot, a coin retainer movablymounted and adapted to receive a coin from said slot, devices forpreventing the assage of a coin through the coin slot an moving the coinretainer into register with the com slot, an article container'rotatably mounted and having means thereon cooperating with saiddevices, and means for locking said article container in position.

26. In a vending machine, a coin retainer movably mounted and having aslot there through, adjustable stops adapted to enter said slot to adaptthe same to receive one or more coins, .a closure for the bottom of saidslot, and means for moving said coin retainer beyond said closure topermit the coins to discharge therefrom.

27. In a vending machine, a coin retainer movably mounted and having acoin slot therethrough and an aperture opening into said slot, coinstops adjustably carried by the coin retainer and adapted to enter saidslot, a closure for the bottom of said slot, a coin stop adjustaolycarried by said closure and adapted to enter said slot through saidaperture, devices for interlocking said coin retainer and closure, andmeans for moving a coin against the stop carried by said closure tocause the unlocking of said coin retainer and closure.

28. In a vending machine, a coin retainer movably mounted and having acoin slot therethrough and an aperture opening into said slot, coinstops adjustably carried by the coin retainer and adapted to enter saidslot, a closure for the bottom of said slot, a coin stop adjustablycarried by said closure and adapted to enter said slot through. saidaperture, devices for interlocking said coin retainer and closure, meansfor moving a coin against the stop carried by said closure to cause theunlocking of said coin retainer and'closure, door locking mechanismcontrolled by the coin retainer, and an article container movablymounted and adapted to return said coin' retainer to cause said devicesto interlock it with said closure:

JOHN FRITSCHE.

Witnesses: i

H. S. FAIRBANKS, C. D. MoVAY,

